Tesla has achieved another significant milestone, announcing that the Fremont Factory has produced its 1 millionth Model Y from GA4. This announcement comes just days after Tesla celebrated producing its 7 millionth vehicle globally.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy given that the Fremont Factory wasn’t originally designed for Tesla vehicle production. According to Tesla’s Q3 2024 Update Letter, the facility currently maintains an installed annual vehicle capacity of over 550,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, plus an additional 100,000 Model S and Model X units. While this capacity is lower than facilities like Giga Shanghai, which can produce over 950,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles annually, it represents a remarkable transformation of the legacy facility.
The Fremont Factory’s journey differs significantly from newer facilities like Gigafactory Texas, which was purpose-built for Model Y and Cybertruck production. Tesla had to employ innovative strategies to maximize the older facility’s potential, including the use of sprung structures to house an additional general assembly line for the Model 3—a move that initially drew skepticism from Tesla critics.
Tesla highlighted this evolution in its celebratory post on X. The company noted that the first Model 3 rolled off the Fremont Factory’s GA4 line on June 8, 2018. Since then, this production line—once dismissed by critics as merely a “tent”—has grown into a highly efficient operation, culminating in the production of its 1 millionth Model Y on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The Model Y continues to dominate the electric vehicle market, particularly in the United States. Its success extends globally, with strong market presence in both Europe and China. The vehicle achieved a historic milestone last year by becoming the world’s best-selling vehicle by volume—the first electric vehicle to earn this distinction.
